Question 19 - Infrastructure Requirements at Hockley Heath

Increased traffic will only worsen the situation and endanger pupils, many of whom walk to school without parents.

There doesn't seem to be much here on the infrastructure requirements for HH. A quicker, more direct bus service to Solihull would be good and cycle paths to Dorridge, Henley and Solihull would mean safer and more accessible bike riding for locals. This may also encourage more bike riding to school.
Some improvements to the park facilities could be made ie- fitness stations and a tennis court to bring HH park up to the standard of Knowle.

Congestion by the school will only be made worse by building 100 houses on site25, the provision of school parking on this site would be dangerous as the children would then all have to cross the road to access cars.
The school wouldn't be big enough for an influx of 100 plus houses and hasn't room to expand to two form entry. Bear in mind 750+ houses being built at Blythe Valley, a short distance from the village with no school or doctors surgery provision.
Very few facilities in Hockley Heath

Traffic is the biggest problem and will continue as more developments add traffic to Stratford Road.

A lot of cyclists use School Road daily. There is a need for road maintenance, inparticular attention to potholes and to prevent the erosion of road edges.

School pick up causes major congestion on School Road and double yellow lines just move the issue further down the road.

I agree there needs to be improvements, but the considerations are only concerning parking for the school along School Road. There are issues with the lay by on the bend in School Road, cars parked in front of homes frequently stick out into the traffic lane, this is dangerous as width of the road is already narrow and there have been near misses from speeding traffic.
School parking issues do not apply just to School Road, living on the first home in Tutnall Drive, we have cars parked on both sides of the road, frequently blocking access into our drive.

I agree there needs to be improvements, but the considerations are only concerning parking for the school along School Road. There are issues with the lay by on the bend in School Road, cars parked in front of homes frequently stick out into the traffic lane, this is dangerous as width of the road is already narrow and there have been near misses from speeding
traffic.
School parking issues do not apply just to School Road, living on the first home in Tutnall Drive, we have cars parked on both sides of the road, frequently blocking access into our drive.

Any significant additional development will adversely affect the congestion issues around the school - assuming the school has any capacity for the additional places that would inevitably be required unless the catchment area is reduced so the vast majority would be within walking distance and are encouraged to walk to school each day

Concerned that this number of additional houses will overload local roads and infrastructure and that Green belt is being eroded

Hockley Heath does require protection from over development and there is too much traffic on School Road which is potentially dangerous for the school children attending the Academy.

School Road is already at capacity with local traffic, soon to be increased with the Blythe Valley development. This is a danger to our local children attending school, especially when arriving and leaving school. Water pressure is at a low in the viallage and must be addressed. There are already limited school spaces available with a waiting list in many year groups and no possibility to expand.

Clearly the counter matters measures suggested have not been thought through and and inadequate. No amount of traffic calming or other projects could reduce the inevitable congestion, safety issues and detriment to the environment impacted by the proposed changes.

Far too many properties for a rural environment. Blyth Valley is yet to be built with over 700 homes.

most houses have at least 2 vehicles which will add more congestion/pollution to our roads as public transport is not reliable or regular in rural areas.

Area will not cope

This area is yet to see the real impact of the Nearby developments in Blythe Valley where some 1000 homes are to be built. We are already in siege with traffic especially when M42 is busy and the Stratford rd is used as a by-pass. We have had local developments on all sides of HH already and we should not be misled about additional revenue for the Parish Council. The deep joy of having extra funds to allow us to paint the local Flower beds so that when we sit in traffic jams enjoying the colours !

The school parking is just one element of a much wider infrastructure that needs to be considered.
The new housing in School road - The Spitfire development has led to increased traffic flow in School Road on top of the existing school parking issue. This is already extremely dangerous. Further homes with the associated cars/children would really increase this risk. Any additional would impact upon the entry and exit .

There are insufficient facilities within the village - no doctors surgery, one single shop - One Stop shop and very minimal bus services. There is no village car park.

The congestion around school drop and pick up times is just one factor. The traffic is increasing generally at all times, there is increased speeding down School Road and the village just cannot sustain further development.
To add at least 100 houses to a small village with no chemist, doctors surgery, one small shop is causing problems. It will destroy the village nature of Hockley Heath and just attract further commuter traffic. We have a small school which will be unlikely to accommodate those numbers.

An increased infrastructure will have catastrophic issues on the village. Doctors, dentists and schools will be increased and not able to cope with the extra personnel. The roads around Hockley Heath are not suitable for even more heavy traffic, speeding is already an issue. The village has already increased in size significantly, therefore more infrastructure is not required. Speeding is a major issue - our house actually sits on the roadside and the impact of such of infrastructure will have a significant impact on our house. There is already 1000 houses being built in Blythe Valley, therefore more infrastructure in the local area is not required.

I do not agree for the following reasons:
1. The plan removes what is effectively the last green belt within the village, certainly the last in School Road.
When the next LDP consultation takes place in under 15 years more land will be needed and should be taken into account in developing this plan. Current Amber and Red sites should be reconsidered in the light of this rather than the current short term view.
2. School road is rural and already recognised as a serious problem for trafic and cyclist using it. 150 new homes together with traffic from the major Blythe Valley development using it as a "rat run"ill only make it far worse.
3.Site 25 as planned will increase the size of Hockley Heath by 12% according to figures in this LDP. Adding the sites to the north of the road adds another 50 houses making 19% growth. With the new housing completed last year by Waterloo housing and Spitfire brings his to 25% growth in the village putting unacceptable pressure on the local infrastructure.

HH village has limited and inadequate infrastructure/services to cope with additional residential housing.
The village has limited amenities and lacks key services: no Doctors surgery (necessary for older residents); limited public transport; very small retail provision; very limited employment opportunities.
School Road suffers parking congestion from the Primary and Nursery School.
The School could be overwhelmed with requests for more school places.
The A3400 is continually over trafficked and difficult to access from School Road.
Blythe Valley homes will put excessive pressure on School Road which is narrow, winding and liable to flooding.

Hockley Heath is bounded by Green Belt,described by the WM Police and others as one of 'Solihull Rurals'. This plan around the building of 100 dwellings along the South side of School Road is dangerous and could easily result in more accidents and maybe even fatalities. I object to the inclusion of plot 25 in the SLP for several reasons detailed below:
It is currently green belt
Across the canal is further green belt being part of Warwickshire and it is in harmony with that green belt.The SLP will turn it into non-green belt and intrude on a well-defined and respected part of the village.
The parking outside the school is already a mess at times, this will only make it worse
100 dwellings squeezed in to the plot is not in harmony with the rest of the developments in the area
Extra traffic on School road will lead to more accidents, especially considering that the other end of School road will finish up in or near an exit from Blythe Valley with its own high density building.plan
There is no plan in place to improve the flooding risk. Why is there no action plan to address the serious flooding on the A3400 in May 2018 ?
The village is short of key infrastructure to support the current population, at a minimum a doctor's surgery and pharmacy is required, the Post Office needs to be replaced as the current owners want to retire..
The new development suggested makes this unlikely to happen as it doesn't appear to be zoned as retail services space but solely housing
This is a non-proportional increase in HH housing which is not needed in Solihull 'rurals', but is trying to address part of Birmingham's housing needs. A city over 12 miles away with poor local transport links to HH. During the end of week-days and start of days, the queues of traffic trying to get out of any HH living space are already long. This new development will only make it worse.
as will the new development in Warwks, but next to the Solihull boundary along Aylesbury road.

19 Do you agree with the infrastructure requirements identified for Hockley Heath, if not why not; or do you believe there are any other matters that should be included?
I do not agree with the extent of the infrastructure requirements identified. The full extent should be studied in greater detail and should not focus on the limited times around school start and end times. A clear view of the monies available through CIL should be presented against the costs of the essential upgrade items made available.
The identified areas for infrastructure does not take into account the day to day issues faced with the School Road at all times of the day; although parking around school start times and finish times is best evidenced this a small part of the issues with the road.
At all times of the day, School Road is used as a link for travellers. Beyond the village limits, towards Cheswick Green, School Road is very narrow with barely room for two cars to pass; the regular flooding and tree damage causes pinch points which often increases the potential for car accidents. The road is contained by a fixed barrier of the canal and the private property of houses opposite, the ability to mitigate these risks is not obvious.
It is understood that Mott McDonald, as specialists in traffic and road flows, have been retained. The view of the ability for infrastructure to be improved to address these issues should be considered.
School Road is part of a regularly used route for social cyclists, who regularly use the road in large groups; this facility contributes significantly to the well being of our community. The addition of substantial traffic without significant investment in pedestrian and cycle safety measures will result in the increase of risk to life for cyclists and pedestrians. This could be addressed by investment in the length of the tow path, under the supervision of Canal and Rivers Trust, the realistic outcome of such a project for a four mile stretch of services for the improvement of safety should be considered
The commenced works to develop 900 properties on Blyth Valley will see a further increase in traffic using School Road as a route to commute to locations in the East as well as access the facilities in Hockley Heath, Dorridge and beyond. These items are not addressed in the requirements presented.
As a community we have expressed our view on needs of the village and it is clearly evidenced that the village does not wish to see substantial development.
It is not clear what level of monies will be realised from the CIL and therefore what the local element will be. The infrastructure enhancements to support an additional properties on the proposed three sites for release, the compound issues of the 900 properties on Blythe Valley and the further 1,200 properties also identified on the Blythe proposals will all impact the infrastructure needs of Hockley Heath to mitigate the issues from development.
The proposer for Site 25 has deployed significant resources to present a view of the works to improve the school parking and the canal side access for that which connects directly with their development. The needs to mitigate the issues from this development go wider than the immediate area.
The cost to the public purse to present 139 properties in Hockley Heath does not seem to make economic sense. The recent village survey does not see a demand for the proposed properties when other properties will be available on larger developments with infrastructure requirements that are better understood and plans defined.
 Asked whether the household was currently looking for alternative housing in the Parish, 9% of respondents said they were - 18 in total.
 Of those looking for alternative housing in the Parish, 12 respondents would like a house (71%), 7 a bungalow (41%) and 2 a flat (12%).
 Those looking for alternative housing was asked what the minimum number of bedrooms were needed. 6 responded with a requirement of two bedrooms and 7 wanted three bedrooms.
Source: Hockley Heath Parish Neighbourhood Plan Survey Results 2018

Other areas of infrastructure to consider is :-
 the reduction in regular Bus Services from the village to Birmingham, Stratford upon Avon and Solihull.
 Remoteness from telephone service points leading to a significantly degraded internet speed through broadband
 Regular flooding of Stratford Road, School Road and Aylesbury Road
 Over subscription to the primary school leading to locals not able to access the village school

-The issues identified do not adequately protect the character and attractiveness of the village. There aren't enough shops, doctors, dentists, other amenities etc to support such a growth in the village, particularly if there is development at Blythe Valley and a new service station at the M42 junction
-School Road is already dangerous for 3+ year olds and this has not been adequately addressed - this will only make the situation worse
-Residents living around School Road will experience a fundamentally busier locale, and destroying the village feel that we're all invested in

School Road is not capable of coping with the the volume of traffic the development will cause. We will end up with a situation of cueing traffic out side the school at peak times making unsafe situations for young school kids to cross. The Plans also show a completely unrealistic scale of the road within the development, however if the size of the road is correct there will be cars parking on school road, again causing hazards for other road users. With 900 homes already bieng developed at Blythe Valley why would there be need to squeeze a further 100 onto a road that struggles to cope with existing volumes of traffic.
If the green belt land is to be allocated it also creates the potential of further development this will put strain on the local infrastructure, major works will be needed to inmrove utilities, traffic systems need to be installed, and added pollution levels will rise, the Blyth Valley development is surely a big enough expansion within the local area for now, why do we need to build on more Green belt land.

Having lived in the area for significant period of time and specifically immediately opposite planned sites , I strongly object for reasons listed below:
The volume of traffic at school drop off and pick up is already too high and hugely congested at these times to the point of being dangersous.
School Road as not wide enough to cope with more traffic especially by the school .
Having witnessed so many "near misses" it horrifies me that anyone would think this site is acceptable to build on ? The plans are not correct to scale - the roads are simply not wide enough and this is of massive concern ! Are they also planning to widen the entire length of School Rd as well ?
Water logged - even in the height of summer this land is always muddy and waterlogged - HH as a village regulate suffers with flooding and drainage is clearly not suffice as it stands how can it cope with less land and natural drainage after this development ?
How is the school going to cope with more intake ? It already can't probide spaces as it is in certain year groups !

The infrastructure within Hockley Heath is not sufficiently capable of supporting a development of this size; 100 homes is a 12% increase (approximately).
Paragraph 189 (p37) refers to regular bus services connecting Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham. This is not the case, the X20 service terminates at Shirley and does not serve Birmingham. TfWM, following a consultation, has changed the bus service route and as such the service from Hockley Heath to Solihull and Dorridge station is effectively reduced to an hourly service due to timetabling, irrespective of this being a circular route. Access to rail services is limited; over 2 miles away.
Hockley Heath does not have a large range of shops and there are no medical facilities (Doctors or Pharmacy) within the Village.
The local primary school does not have the capacity to accommodate the potential numbers of children from 100-150 properties (should sites 49 and 328 also be released from the green belt).
The NP survey, published in June 2018, had 87% of respondents indicating it was very important for highway changes to School Road to prevent excessive vehicle use arising from additional Blythe Valley Park development (it was accepted that this will be used as a short-cut). This finding was in advance of any consultation associated with the release of green belt land on School Road. The A3400 is used as a diversion for both the M40 and M42 and as such Hockley Heath experiences frequent congestion along the A3400 and connecting routes, with School Road being used to bypass congestion on

I do not agree enough is done for the infrastructure for Hockley Heath as there is a massive building project east of Illshaw Heath, which will bring loads of additional cars to Hockley Heath from the north and the west of the A34, aggravating school parking and safety of both school access and pedestrains crossing the A34. At the moment there are issues with water pressure and in recent months there have been cuts in electricity supply to Hockley Heath residents. There is no doctor's surgery nor chemist in the village and only an hourly bus service to the nearest.

School Rd is too narrow and school is almost full. No dr or dentist here either

The infrastructure within Hockley Heath is not sufficiently capable of supporting a development of this size; 100 homes is a 12% increase (approximately).

Paragraph 189 (p37) refers to regular bus services connecting Stratford and Birmingham. The X20 service terminates at Shirley and does not serve Birmingham. TfWM, following a consultation, has changed the bus service route and as such the service from Hockley Heath to Solihull and Dorridge station is effectively reduced to an hourly service due to timetabling, irrespective of this being a circular route. Access to rail services is limited; over 2 miles away.

Hockley Heath does not have a large range of shops and there are no medical facilities (Doctors or Pharmacy) within the Village.

The local primary school does not have the capacity to accommodate the potential numbers of children from 100-150 properties (should sites 49 and 328 also be released from the green belt).

The NP survey, published in June 2018, had 87% of respondents indicating it was very important for highway changes to School Road to prevent excessive vehicle use arising from additional Blythe Valley Park development (it was accepted that this will be used as a short-cut). This finding was in advance of any consultation associated with the release of green belt land on School Road. The A3400 is used as a diversion for both the M40 and M42 and as such Hockley Heath experiences frequent congestion along the A3400 and connecting routes, with School Road being used to bypass congestion on the A3400.

Hockley Heath, and specifically the A3400, suffers from regular ponding following even moderate sustained rainfall. HHPC is engaging with Severn Trent Water and SMBC Highways to identify improvement works across the entire system (from storm drains to river outlet) but there is clear evidence that the drainage infrastructure in the Village is struggling.

There are pockets of Hockley Heath which still do not have access to "super fast" broadband and there have been reports of poor water pressure in areas of the village reported by residents.

There is no doctor's surgery ,the school is full, the bus service is limited and the canal is a linear heritage asset requiring protection from mediocre development. Future expansion due is limited due to the inadequate infrastructure. Protection is required from excessive development where it impacts on the character and attractiveness of the village, the Green Belt and the national heritage asset of the canal. The safety of children at the school is of paramount importance School Road is already inadequate for existing traffic and has been much damaged over the winter. Any future development should adjoin the main road.

Whilst I sympathise with Hockley Heath residents, it is an area prime for development given its location and ease of access to the motorway and surrounding areas. It does not have a village character, centre, or historic buildings in the same way as other nearby villages such that development would not be as detrimental. Given ease of access and closeness to facilities such as golf clubs, health clubs and national trust properties, it is ideal for young families and a new school. It seems logical to add on to existing development here.

Congestion around school pick up and drop off times is a big problem. It can only be alleviated by providing facilities elsewhere to accomodate vehicles entering and leaving at the same time.But where?
The bend between the school and Stratford road is very narrow especially when cars are parked in the layby (which is too narrow for them) and opposite where they park half on the pavement.